Sudbury to Hudson Transmission Reliability Project

Eversource is proposing to construct a new 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line between Sudbury and Hudson, Mass. This upgrade is one of a group of projects designed to improve the reliability of the electric system serving the Greater Boston area, both today and in the future.

At Eversource, we're always working to serve you better. The new line would be constructed between the Eversource substation in Sudbury, and the Hudson Light and Power substation in Hudson.

Throughout the project planning stages, Eversource proactively reached out to municipal officials, local community groups and other stakeholders to gather feedback on the proposed project. Based on feedback received, Eversource is proposing a 9-mile, all-underground line as the preferred route and design.

The preferred route includes 7.6 miles within an existing, inactive Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) railroad corridor, passing through Sudbury, Marlborough, Stow and Hudson. The remaining 1.4 miles are located under streets in Hudson.

As part of the siting process, an alternative, in-street route will also be offered for the Massachusetts Energy Facility Siting Board’s (EFSB) consideration. This approximately 10.5-mile route would be underground, under streets in Sudbury, Hudson and Stow.

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Project Facts (preferred route and design):

Route length: 9 miles

Line location: Sudbury, Marlborough, Stow and Hudson, Mass.

Line voltage: 115,000-volt (115-kV) transmission line

Siting review by: Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB)

Estimated Timetable (subject to change):

Public Open Houses: March 15 & 16, 2016

File Environmental Notification Form for review under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA): May 15, 2017

Received the Certificate of the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs on the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR): September 14, 2018

File Siting Petition with the EFSB: April 20, 2017

EFSB Public Hearings: May 25 and June 1, 2017

Start of construction (pending all necessary approvals): 2019

Estimated in-service date: 2020

SURVEY AND FIELD WORK

Hudson, Stow and Sudbury

As part of the design process for the project, Eversource is gathering information along the preferred project route, including conducting survey work and subsurface investigations, such as taking samples of soil. All work will be completed within the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) corridor.

In Sudbury, crews are conducting limited tree cutting, brush clearing and soil sampling, starting at the Sudbury Substation on Boston Post Road (Route 20), moving west toward the Sudbury and Hudson town border. This work was completed in Hudson and Stow in September 2018.

Soil sampling is an activity where a small amount of soil is collected from underneath the ground. The condition of the soil is then evaluated to help Eversource finalize the design of the project. These activities typically take a few days at each location, with equipment on site during that time.

Eversource received approval from the Sudbury Conservation Commission on September 6, 2018, to conduct the limited tree cutting to support soil sampling. In addition, all tree-cutting and brush-clearing activities are being completed under the supervision of a licensed arborist.

MASSACHUSETTS ENERGY FACILITIES SITING BOARD (EFSB)

This project requires approval from the EFSB. The EFSB siting process includes both public and evidentiary hearings. The public and other interested stakeholders are given the opportunity to participate in the siting process through the EFSB-sponsored public hearing. Owners of property abutting and near the project will be informed of the public hearing dates and are encouraged to participate.

The regulatory process also requires approval from local, state and federal, permitting agencies, including environmental agencies.

To learn more about the siting process and how to participate, visit the EFSB website.

On April 20, 2017, Eversource submitted a Petition to the EFSB for approval to construct the Sudbury to Hudson Transmission Reliability Project.

The EFSB's docket is available for viewing in the organization’s file room. Eversource’s filing is docket number EFSB17-02.

MASSACHUSETTS ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (MEPA)

On May 15, 2017, Eversource submitted an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) to the MEPA Office for review. On June 12, 2017, the MEPA Office held a public site tour and scoping session for the project.

On September 14, 2018, Eversource received the Certificate of the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs on the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the Sudbury - Hudson Transmission Reliability Project.

PUBLIC OUTREACH

We have engaged town officials, residents, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders through municipal briefings, open houses and meetings – answering questions and listening to concerns about the project.

We will continue these outreach efforts as the project proceeds through the siting process and into construction.